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Diabetes is a serious public health problem. About 30 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 84 million American adults have prediabetes. People with prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They are at risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke, but lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and increasing physical activity, can reduce their risk and may even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Each year about 3,500 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly before they reach their first birthday due to sleep-related deaths. These tragedies, called sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), often occur during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area, and include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and other deaths from unknown causes.

Emerging health threats are a concern for everyone, yet pregnant women and infants are particularly vulnerable. For example, infection with the Zika virus or having untreated syphilis during pregnancy can cause a miscarriage or devastating birth defects. These birth defects may include brain abnormalities, misshaped bones and hearing loss. The timely identification and understanding of these emerging health threats and others, such as the opioid epidemic, allow communities to act early to protect mothers and babies.

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Nearly 1 in 5 children and adolescents have obesity. Children with obesity are at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and breathing problems. Additionally, children who have obesity are most likely to become adults with obesity. Most children spend time in care outside of their home, making Early Care and Education (ECE) settings and schools some of the best places to reach children with obesity prevention efforts.

What is Grand Rounds?

CDC Public Health Grand Rounds is a monthly scientific presentation featuring the important work that CDC is doing in the United States and around the world to protect people and save lives. Experts discuss major public health issues, key challenges, cutting-edge scientific evidence, potential solutions, and recent developments. Each session is the result of a rigorous process which takes months to prepare. This attention to detail ensures that our audiences receive up-to-date, scientifically accurate, and usable information. Grand Rounds welcomes clinicians, researchers, students of public health, medicine and nursing, and the public that we serve to attend in person or watch the live webcast. Did you miss the live session? No worries! We invite you to watch Grand Rounds on our “On Demand” page where we archive each session for your convenience. Free Continuing Education is available for most topics.